Renowned trance DJ and producer Signum is best known for his 1999 anthem 'Coming On Strong'; last year, the Dutch artist collaborated with Ben Nicky, Hannah Laing, Korolova and more on reworks of the trance classic, which earned support from Above & Beyond, Yotto, David Guetta, Ferry Corsten, Giuseppe Ottaviani, AFROJACK and W&W to name a few.
Signum first appeared on Anjunabeats in 2003 with his remix of OceanLab's 'Beautiful Together'. He returned to the label in 2006 with his remix of Above & Beyond's 'Can't Sleep', which saw spins from the likes of Armin van Buuren, Darude and Gabriel & Dresden.
2024 was a busy year of touring for Signum, with shows at Ministry Of Sound in London, Trancefest at SWG3 in Glasgow, the Hard Trance Europe Weekender in Weston-super-Mare, and more.
Now, Signum drops his debut solo release on Anjunabeats, 'Homage'. An ethereal trance track with a hypnotic vocal, Above & Beyond first debuted the single last month as a mystery ID on their Group Therapy radio show.
Signum, a stalwart in the trance music scene, makes an impactful debut on Anjunabeats with "Homage," a masterfully crafted track pulsating at 136 BPM. This production is a testament to Signum's technical prowess and intricate sound design, seamlessly blending classic trance elements with modern production techniques. The track opens with a robust foundation of pulsating basslines, meticulously sidechained to create a dynamic interaction with the rolling kicks. The bass is engineered with a layered approach—combining sub-bass frequencies for depth and mid-bass elements for punch and clarity, ensuring it cuts through the mix without overpowering the melodic components. The tribal-esque drums are crafted using a mix of sampled organic percussions and synthesized toms, processed through transient shapers and subtle reverb to enhance their natural, earthy feel. Hypnotic synths are a hallmark of "Homage." Signum employs a combination of analog-modeled virtual synthesizers and digital wavetable synthesis to achieve rich, evolving textures. These synths are modulated with LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators) to create rhythmic sweeps and filter movements, adding to the track's hypnotic quality. The melancholic piano chords, processed with reverb and delay, bring an emotive depth, complemented by careful EQing to sit perfectly within the mix without clashing with the higher frequency synth layers. The ethereal breakdown serves as the emotional core of the track, featuring a superbly integrated female spoken vocal sample. The vocal is processed with a combination of stereo widening effects, reverb, and subtle pitch modulation to create a haunting, otherworldly presence. This section strips back the rhythmic elements, allowing lush pads and orchestral strings—crafted with high-quality sample libraries and layered for texture—to build a serene, floating ambiance. As the track progresses, the reintroduction of beats and basslines is meticulously timed to maintain energy and flow. The travelling piano melodies are enhanced with automation in panning and reverb tails, creating a sense of movement and spatial depth. The orchestral strings add a cinematic layer, dynamically arranged to rise and fall with the track's progression, enhancing the inspirational and immersive sonic experience. Overall, "Homage" is not just a track but an auditory journey—a fine blend of technical precision and emotive storytelling through sound design, arrangement, and meticulous production techniques. #PureGold Love iT
10.0
Overall Score
Beat and Rhythm10
Basslines and Groove10
Melody 10
Synths 10
Breakdown10
Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment10
Intensity, Drive and Energy10
Sound-design and Arrangement10
Overall Atmosphere10
Goosebumps / Shivers moments10
Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments10
Originality and Inventiveness10
Radio Friendly10
Vocals & lyrics10
You can’t get this memorable track out of your head10
It has potential to become an anthem or a classic10
